Artificial fingernail extension

ABSTRACT

An artificial fingernail extension has opposing top and bottom surfaces with opposing distal and proximal ends and two opposing sides extending between the proximal and distal ends. An offset ledge is formed in the bottom surface, extends along the proximal end between the opposing sides, is thinner than an average thickness immediately adjacent the offset ledge, has a textured surface, and optionally has a transparency differing by 20% from the transparency of the immediately adjacent nail portion. The textured surface improves adhesion and along with the transparency differences improves alignment during use.

CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATIONS

The application claims the benefit under 35 U.S.C. § 119(e) toProvisional Patent Application No. 62/866,530 filed Jun. 25, 2019 andProvisional Patent Application No. 62/873,129 filed Jul. 11, 2019, theentire contents of which are incorporated herein by reference

BACKGROUND

Artificial fingernails are connected to a person's existing nails toenhance or change the appearance of the fingernails, to protect theunderlying natural fingernails or nail beds, or combinations thereof.The artificial fingernails may be adhered to the underlying naturalfingernails along the entire length of the nail body, but as the naturalnail grows the artificial fingernail moves away from the cuticle and arecess begins to appear between the cuticle and the bottom end of theartificial nail and the recess creates an undesirable visual effect. Toavoid the formation of this recess and to avoid adhesives over theentire nailbed, a fingernail extension may be fastened to the free endor distal end of the natural fingernail. But such fingernail extensionshave a large length of the artificial fingernail cantilevered from thedistal end, and increased breakage occurs as the length of theartificial fingernails increases. Further, axial and rotationalalignment of the fingernail extensions with the underlying fingernailare problematic and adequate adhesion of the fingernail extensions withthe underlying fingernail are also problematic. There is thus a need foran improved fingernail tip extension.

BRIEF SUMMARY

An artificial fingernail extension is provided with opposing top andbottom surfaces, opposing distal and proximal ends and two opposingsides extending between the proximal and distal ends. An offset ledge isformed in the bottom surface and extends along the proximal end betweenthe opposing sides. The offset ledge is thinner than an averagethickness immediately adjacent the offset ledge, has a textured surfacewith a roughness greater than the bottom surface of the artificial nail,and optionally has a transparency differing by about 20% from thetransparency of the immediately adjacent nail portion. The transparencydifference preferably arises because of a difference in thickness of theoffset ledge versus the immediately adjacent portion of the artificialnail but may arise from a difference in transparency of the materialforming the offset ledge and the immediately adjacent portion of thenail, or both. The textured surface improves adhesion and along with thetransparency differences improves the ability of to align the artificialfingernail extension with the underlying natural nail during use. Theincreased transparency of the offset ledge and the increased contrast ofthe offset ledge each helps to improve alignment of the artificial nailwith the underlying natural nail.

There is thus provided an artificial fingernail extension for use with aperson's fingernail. The fingernail extension has opposing top andbottom surfaces and extends along a longitudinal axis. The fingernailextension has a distal end and a proximal end and two opposing sidesextending between the proximal and distal ends. The proximal end has anoffset ledge formed in the bottom surface so as to face the fingernailduring use and extends between the opposing sides of the fingernailextension. The offset ledge has a thickness about 35% to 65% of anaverage thickness of the artificial fingernail immediately adjacent tothe offset ledge. The surface of the offset ledge is textured.

In further variations, the offset ledge has a uniform length along thelongitudinal axis, and that uniform length is advantageously betweenabout 3 and 6 mm. The offset ledge may have a thickness of about 40% to60% the thickness of the artificial fingernail extension immediatelyadjacent the offset ledge. Advantageously, the 40% thickness differenceoccurs with thinner nails and the 60% difference occurs with thickernails, with the offset ledge thickness varying from about 15 mm to 23mm. Further, the artificial fingernail may be straight, but preferablyhas a convex curve between the proximal and distal ends in the generaldirection a person clenches the fingers to make a firt so the curvatureof the fingernail extension follows the natural curvature of averagefingernails. Similarly, the artificial fingernail is also curvedconvexly from side to side to better conform to the shape of a person'snatural fingernail.

Further, a bottom surface of the offset ledge may have a different androugher surface texture than the bottom surface of the remainder of theartificial fingernail. The bottom surface of the offset ledge has a mattfinish and the top and bottom surfaces of the remainder of theartificial nail advantageously have a polished finish. The offset ledgeadvantageously may have a thickness of about 0.15 mm to 0.23 mm and theartificial fingernail immediately adjacent the offset ledge may have athickness of about 0.35 mm to 0.38 mm.

The offset ledge advantageously has a transparency that is about 15%-40%different from the transparency of the immediately adjacent portion ofthe artificial fingernail so as to enhance the contrast between theoffset ledge and the remainder of the artificial fingernail. Thecombined reduction in thickness of the offset portion combined with amore transparent portion relative to the immediately adjacent portion ofthe nail may achieve the 15% to 40% change in transparency. While thetransparency of the offset ledge is advantageously about 15% to 40%different (and preferably greater) greater than the immediately adjacentportion of the artificial fingernail, it is believed advantageous if thetransparency is about 15% to 30% more transparent than the immediatelyadjacent the offset ledge to enhance visibility of the offset ledge.

Less preferable is achieving that level of transparency by the reductionin thickness of the offset portion alone. These differences intransparency advantageously include the surface texturing of the offsetlayer, so the same variation in transparency is achieved when the offsetlayer is textured as described herein, for the various thicknesses andtexturing roughness of the offset layer. Advantageously, the offsetledge is about 50% transparent and a portion of the artificialfingernail immediately adjacent the offset ledge is about 70%transparent (e.g., because of differences in thickness or in thetransparency of the basic material), and the offset ledge has atransparency about 15% to 30% different from a transparency of theimmediately adjacent the offset ledge to enhance visibility of theoffset ledge.

There is also provided an artificial fingernail extension for use with aperson's fingernail where the artificial fingernail has opposing top andbottom surfaces that extend generally along a longitudinal axis (becausethe nails typically curve they deviate from the strict longitudinalaxis). The artificial fingernail has a distal end and a proximal end andtwo opposing sides extending between the proximal and distal ends andjoining the top and bottom surfaces. The proximal end has an offsetledge formed in the bottom surface so as to face the fingernail duringuse. The offset ledge extends along the entire proximal end, from sideto side of the artificial fingernail. The offset ledge has a thicknessabout 40% to 60% of an average thickness of the artificial fingernailimmediately adjacent to the offset ledge. The surface of the offsetledge is textured and has a rougher surface texture than the bottomsurface of the artificial fingernail immediately adjacent the offsetledge. The artificial fingernail has a length generally parallel to thelongitudinal axis of about 3 mm-6 mm. The offset ledge has atransparency that is different from the transparency of the immediatelyadjacent portion of the artificial fingernail by being about 15% to 30%less transparent if the artificial fingernail is clear, but is about 15%to 30% more transparent if the artificial fingernail is colored, so asto enhance the contrast between the offset ledge and the remainder ofthe artificial fingernail. In further variations, the top and bottomsurfaces may be polished, and the offset ledge has a transparency ofabout 50%.

There is also provided a method of applying an artificial fingernailextension to a person's fingernail using any of the artificialfingernails described above or described herein. The method includes thesteps of applying a fingernail adhesive to the textured offset ledge andthen aligning the offset ledge with the distal end of the person'sfingernail by looking through the offset ledge from the top surface ofthe artificial fingernail or by using the difference in transparency toalign the artificial fingernail, and then placing the offset ledge ontop of the person's fingernail with an interior edge of the offset ledgeat a distal end of the person's fingernail. After the adhesive hardenssufficiently so it does not dislodge or shift position during latersteps of the manicure the artificial nail is blended with the person'sunderlying fingernail, usually by applying a gel or other filler to theperson's natural fingernail and smoothing the artificial fingernail andapplied gel or filler with a file or abrasive material, or by using anabrasive material to smooth down or blend the adhered end of theartificial fingernail with the person's underlying fingernail.

BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS

These and other advantages and features of the invention will be betterappreciated in view of the following drawings and descriptions in whichlike numbers refer to like parts throughout, and in which:

FIG. 1 is a top view of an artificial fingernail extension having asquare distal end;

FIG. 2 is a bottom view of the artificial fingernail extension of FIG. 1showing a textured area;

FIG. 3 is an end view of the artificial fingernail extension of FIG. 1;

FIG. 4 is a sectional view taken along section 4-4 of FIG. 1;

FIG. 5 is a top view of the artificial fingernail extension of FIG. 1 ona person's finger;

FIG. 6 is a partial sectional view of FIG. 5 showing a straight,artificial fingernail extension in cross section along the longitudinalaxis;

FIG. 7 is cross sectional view of a straight artificial fingernailextension;

FIG. 8 is a cross-sectional view of a curved artificial fingernailextension;

FIG. 9A is a top view of an artificial fingernail extension having around distal end;

FIG. 9B is a top view of an artificial fingernail extension having analmond-shaped distal end;

FIG. 9C is a top view of an artificial fingernail extension having acoffin-shaped distal end; and

FIG. 9D is a top view of an artificial fingernail extension having apointed distal end.

DETAILED DESCRIPTION

As used herein, the following part numbers refer to the following parts:10—artificial fingernail; 12—distal end; 14—proximal end; 16—finger;18—natural fingernail; 20—longitudinal axis; 22—right side; 24—leftside; 26—top surface; 28—bottom surface and 30—offset ledge.

As used herein, the longitudinal axis 20 extends direction along aperson's finger when held horizontally, with the vertical directionextending in the direction of gravity and the later direction extendingin a plane orthogonal to the longitudinal and vertical planes. Therelative orientations and directions top and bottom, up and down, upwardand downward are with respect to the vertical axis. The relativeorientations and directions inner and outer, inward and outward are withrespect to the longitudinal axis extending through the middle of aperson's finger.

Referring to FIGS. 1-8, an artificial fingernail extension 10 is shownas extending in a longitudinal direction and having a distal end 12 andan opposing, proximal end 14. The proximal end 14 is curved in adirection along the longitudinal axis 20 toward the distal end 12 toform a curve having a center extending away toward the distal end of theartificial fingernail extension 10 (FIGS. 1, 2 and 5). The proximal end14 and the entire artificial fingernail extension 10 have a convexcurvature between the sides of the fingernail extension 10 as seen inFIGS. 3-4. The finger 16 has a natural fingernail 18. The curvedproximal end 14 is preferably symmetric about the longitudinal axis 20and advantageously has a configuration selected to conform to the distaledge of a person's fingernail 18. Continuously curved surfaces arepreferred for the shape of the curved proximal end 14, as are segmentsof circles, ellipses or parabolas, with the curves centered on thelongitudinal axis of the fingernail extension 10. The fingernailextension 10 is also advantageously curved along a length of thelongitudinal axis 20 so as to conform to the curved top surface of aperson's fingernail 18 and this results in a convex curve between thedistal and proximal ends of the artificial fingernail, curved in thegeneral direction a finger bends when clenching the fingers into a fist.

The fingernail extension 10 has opposing right and left sides 22, 24,respectively, when looking from the top downward toward the fingernailextension when the extensions are orientated to fasten to a person'sfingernail. The right and left sides 22, 24 of the proximal end 14 ofthe fingernail extension 10 are adjacent the lateral nail folds and nailgroove of a finger during use of the fingernail extension. Theartificial fingernail extension thus advantageously is curved from side22 to side 24 as are the natural fingernails of a person and the curveis convex shaped.

The fingernail extension 10 has opposing top and bottom surfaces 26, 28,respectively, with the distance between the opposing top and bottomsurfaces preferably being substantially the same distance or thickness.As used herein, “substantially the same” refers to a variation of 10%and the use of “about” refers to a variation of 15%. The bottom side 28of the fingernail extension at the proximal end 14 has a reducedthickness that forms an offset ledge 30 having a longitudinal lengththat is advantageously from about 2-6 mm, and preferably about 2-4 mm or3-5 mm, and ideally 3, 4 or 5 mm. Offset ledges 30 having longerlongitudinal lengths are believed suitable, but less desirable. Theoffset ledge 30 advantageously extends from side 22 to side 24 and hassubstantially the same thickness and advantageously has substantiallythe same length measured along the longitudinal axis. The offset ledge30 is advantageously less than about ⅕ the length of the fingernailextension 10 along the longitudinal axis, is advantageously about ⅕ to1/10 the length of the extension. The thickness of the offset ledge 30may be selected for ease of use by the manicurist or user, in which casethe offset ledge thickness is reduced in order to reduce the effortneeded to blend the outer or top surface 26 of the fingernail extensionwith the outer surface of the fingernail 18.

The offset ledge 30 may thus have a convex curve from side 22 to side24, and advantageously also curves toward the distal end 12 to conformto the shape of the end of a person's nail plate at the hyponychium. Theproximal end of the artificial nail and the offset ledge may thus have acomplex curve in three dimensions which results in a proximal endconforming in shape to the hyponychium.

Offset ledges 30 having a thickness of 20% to 40% the thickness of thefingernail extension immediately adjacent the offset ledge, andpreferably about 30% to 40% the thickness of the fingernail extensionimmediately adjacent the offset ledge, are believed suitable. A strongerconnection is believed achievable if the thickness of the offset ledge30 is about 30% to 60% the thickness of the fingernail extensionimmediately adjacent the offset ledge, with an offset of 40% to 50%believed suitable. As used herein, the term “immediately adjacent” meansa length that is equal to the axial length of the offset ledge 30 alongaxis 20. Because a person's fingernail curves about three axes, theabove description of and reference to the offset ledge having an axiallength or a uniform axial length, is understood to accommodatevariations encompassed by the natural curvature of a person'sfingernails, which curvature may vary among fingernails of the sameperson, and which may vary among different persons. Thus, for example,an offset ledge 30 with a length of 1 mm encompasses not just the axiallength but any variations caused by the curvature of the interior end ofthe offset ledge 30 which is generally a portion of a circle centered ona longitudinal axis through the top, middle portion of the nail, andwhich curves downward toward the cuticle and the lateral nail fold. Inshort, variations caused by difficulties and uncertainties in measuringthe dimensions are accommodated, with an implicit variation of 15% insuch dimensions believed sufficient to encompass the variations in aperson's nails.

Advantageously, for an artificial nail having a thickness of 0.35 mm to0.38 mm (0.14

-   -   0.15 inches), the offset ledge 30 has a thickness of 0.15        mm-0.23 mm (0.006-0.09 inches). These thicknesses may be average        thicknesses. For an artificial nail having a thickness T, an        offset ledge 30 having a thickness of 35% to 65% of T is        believed preferred, and a thickness of 40% to 60% is believed        more preferable, and a thickness of about 50% preferred.

Because the proximal end 14 is curved into the fingernail extension 10,the offset ledge 30 forms a crescent-shaped strip following thatcurvature on the proximal end 14. The thickness of the offset ledge 30is advantageously uniform from side 22 to side 24. The offset ledge 30may be formed by grinding the proximal end 14 to reduce the thicknessand texture the offset ledge, or the nail extension may be molded tohave the reduced thickness at the offset ledge and molded to have thedesired texturing finish, or a combination of the two methods can beused. If grinding is used, the axial length of the offset ledge 30 isadvantageously the width of the grinding wheel.

The top and bottom surfaces 26, 28 advantageously have a shiny, polishedsurface finish. This polished surface may be achieved by molding. Butthe offset ledge 30 advantageously has a textured surface on the bottomside of the artificial nail and facing downward, toward the person'sfingernail 18 during use and this textured surface is shown by thedashed lines in the figures that indicate surface texturing. Thistextured surface is also achieved during molding of the fingernailextensions 10, or by other means such as grinding with an abrasivewheel. The textured surface is selected to be rough enough tosubstantially improve adhesion with the nail adhesive used to fasten thefingernail extension 10 to the underlying fingernail 18 compared to anon-textured surface such as a polished surface, while not causingstress risers that induce cracking and fracture or fatigue fracture ofthe offset ledge 30 during periods of extended use, advantageously 10 to20 days, and preferably from two to four weeks. The textured surface ispreferably a matt finish, manufactured as a “crude” finish with asurface roughness of about 74 μm, RMS believed suitable. A surfaceroughness of 0.35 to 0.7 Ra (micro-inches) is believed suitable, with atexture of 0.8 to 2.8 Ra believed usable but less desirable.

The surface finish on the remainder of the artificial nail other thanthe offset ledge 30 is advantageously a polished finish. A surfaceroughness of 0.1 to 0.3 RA (micro-inches) is believed suitable.

The artificial fingernail extensions 10 may be made from any suitablematerial. Various thermoplastic materials are commonly used in theformation of artificial nails, such as, by way of example only,acrylonitrile butadiene styrene (ABS), polyethylene (PE), polyvinylchloride (PVC), polystyrene and polyethyleneterephthalate (PET) andcombinations thereof, by coextrusion or otherwise. Also believedsuitable for use are cellulose acetate and other cellulose esters,nylon, clear acrylonitrile butadiene styrene copolymer, acrylic resinand polystyrene. Furthermore, the composition of material in the nailbody is preferably consistently uniform throughout.

The fingernail extensions 10 are typically made in clear, natural, andwhite colors with the clear nail extensions being effectively 100%transparent when the top and bottom surfaces have a polished finish. Ifthe fingernail extension is made of clear material then the texturing onthe offset ledge 30 advantageously provides a visually perceptiblecontrasting appearance to the unaided eye compared to the clearremainder of the fingernail extension 10. Advantageously the offsetledge is made of a material with a transparency differing by about 15%to 30% from the immediately adjacent portion of the fingernail extensionbefore polish or gel is applied. As the fingernail extension is clear inthis example, the offset ledge 30 is less transparent by about 15% to30% compared to the immediately adjacent portion of the nail extension,and advantageously about 20% less transparent, with the texturing on theoffset ledge 30 contributing almost all of that difference intransparency as the material itself is clear. But preferably the thinner(textured) offset ledge still results in an offset ledge 30 sufficientlytransparent that one can see through the offset ledge with the texturingincreasing the contrast. Advantageously, the offset ledge has atransparency of about 40% to 80% for the clear nail extension, withtransparencies of about 50% and 70% believed advantageous within thatrange. These differences in transparency are before use. The crescentshape formed by the offset ledge 30 is visible when viewed through theouter or top surface 26 of the nail extension, and that crescent shapemay be used to help align the proximal end 30 during use. The texturingand reduced thickness contribute to this difference in appearance.

If the fingernail extension 10 is made of natural color material then itis not transparent. For a natural colored fingernail extension 10, thethinner offset ledge 30 advantageously provides a contrasting appearanceto the unaided eye compared to the darker and naturally coloredremainder of the fingernail extension 10, even when looking through theouter or top surface 26 of the fingernail extension. But preferably thethinner offset ledge 30 has about 15% to 30% more transparent than theimmediately adjacent portion of the fingernail extension 10 when viewedthrough the polished top surface 26, even with the texturing on theoffset layer. The offset ledge is preferably about 20% more transparencyeven though the ledge 30 is textured. The transparency arises from thematerial used, or from the reduced thickness of the offset ledge orboth. Thus, the reduction in thickness of the offset layer may result inincreasing transparency of the naturally colored nail by the desiredamount when the offset layer is textured, or the transparency of thematerial used to form the artificial nail may be changed to contribute.For example, naturally colored artificial nails having a normaltransparency of 60% may be made with a transparency about 20% to 30%greater and preferably with a transparency of about 10% greater. Fornatural colored nail extensions, a transparency of about 70% is believedsuitable. That increased transparency of the material, combined with thereduced thickness of offset ledge 30 and texturing of offset ledge 30results in the specified transparency when viewed through the polishedtop surface 26. The offset ledge advantageously has a transparency ofabout 40% to 60% and preferably about 50%, when viewed through apolished top surface 24 of the fingernail extension. These transparencydifferences are before use. The crescent shape formed by the offsetledge 30 on a naturally colored fingernail extension is visible and maybe used to help align the proximal end 30 with a person's naturalfingernail during use, and the increased transparency of that crescentshaped, offset ledge 30 may also be used for such alignment.

For a white colored fingernail extension 10, the thinner offset ledge 30advantageously provides a contrasting appearance to the unaided eyecompared to the less transparent and white colored remainder of thefingernail extension 10, when looking through the outer or top surface26 of the fingernail extension. Preferably, the thinner offset ledge 30has about 15% to 30% more transparent than the immediately adjacentportion of the white-colored fingernail extension 10 when viewed throughthe polished top surface 26, even with the texturing on the offsetlayer. The offset ledge is preferably about 20% more transparency eventhough the ledge 30 is textured. The transparency arises from thematerial used, or from the reduced thickness of the offset ledge orboth. Thus, the reduction in thickness of the offset layer may result inincreasing the transparency of the white-colored nail by the desiredamount when the offset layer is textured, or the transparency of thematerial used to form the artificial nail may be changed to contribute.For example, white-colored artificial nails having a normal transparencyof 60% may be made with a transparency about 20% to 30% greater andpreferably with a transparency of about 10% greater. For white-colorednail extensions a transparency of about 70% is believed suitable. Thatincreased transparency of the material, combined with the reducedthickness of offset ledge 30 and texturing of offset ledge 30 results inthe desired transparency when viewed through the polished top surface26. The offset ledge advantageously has a transparency of about 40% to60% and preferably about 50%, when viewed through a polished top surface24 of the fingernail extension. The transparency differences in theseexamples are before use. The crescent shape formed by the offset ledge30 on a white-colored fingernail extension is visible and may be used tohelp align the proximal end 30 with a person's natural fingernail duringuse, and the increased transparency of that crescent offset ledge 30 mayalso be used for such alignment.

The transparency refers to the passage of ambient visible light suchthat 50% transparent refers to passing 50% of the ambient, visiblelight. Transparency is preferably determined at an illumination of 800lumens on the fingernail extension using a light source at 5000° K. Theparticular illumination and color temperature are not believed criticalas the majority of manicurists can visually see through the offset ledge30 in their work environment to align the interior edge of the offsetledge with the distal end of a person's fingernail to adhere theartificial nail to the fingernail.

As seen in FIGS. 7-8, the fingernail extensions 10 may be straight orcurved along the direction of the finger and fingernail. The curvatureis preferably selected to match or approximate the natural curvature ofthe fingernails 18 extending from a person's fingers. The fingernailextensions also curve from left to right sides 22, 24 to conform to thecurvature of a person's fingers, with the extensions being thin enoughthat the bend to conform to the individual shape of the person's nails.

Additionally, as shown in FIGS. 9A-9D, the artificial fingernailextensions 10 may have different shapes on the distal ends 12, includingrounded (FIG. 9A), almond shaped (FIG. 9B), coffin shaped (FIG. 9C) andpointed (FIG. 9D). Thus, a variety of straight and curved fingernailextensions 10 are provided with an offset ledge 30 having a texturedsurface to provide a strong and fast connection to a fingernail 18.

In use, the manicurist selects the fingernail extension 10 to be usedand optionally looks through the offset ledge 30 to compare the shape ofthe offset ledge to the shape of the distal edge of the underlyingfingernail. The fingernail may be shaped to better conform to the shapeof the offset ledge 30 if desired. The manicurist then applies anadhesive to at least one of the textured offset 30 or the distal end ofthe fingernail 18. The textured surface and the offset 30 cooperate tohelp retain the liquid adhesive within the bounds of the textured offset30. The manicurist then looks through the proximal end 30 of thefingernail extension 10 and uses the visible contrast between the offsettextured portion 30 and the adjacent fingernail extension to positionthe fingernail extension 10 relative to the underlying fingernail. Themanicurist then places the textured offset ledge 30 against the distalend of the underlying fingernail 18 and, as needed, slides thefingernail extension 10 longitudinally until the distal edge of thefingernail 18 contacts the interior edge of the offset ledge 30, andslides the fingernail extension laterally until the offset ledge isvisually centered on the fingernail. Advantageously, the offset ledge 30overlaps or has its proximal edge aligned with the hyponychium so as tolend the appearance of a French manicure. The conforming shapes of theinterior end of the offset ledge 30 and the distal end of the fingernail38 help align and center the fingernail extension 10 on the fingernail18. The contrasting texture and visibility of the textured offset ledge30 allows easy rough alignment and positioning of the fingernailextension 10 with the fingernail 18. The ability of the manicurist tosee the shape of the offset ledge 30 through the thickness of theproximal end 30 of the fingernail extension allows easy alignment andpositioning of the fingernail extension with the fingernail as theproximal end 14 approaches the fingernail 18, and when the offset ledgecontacts the fingernail.

The textured surface on the offset ledge 30 provides improved adhesion,especially compared to an adhesive applied to the polished finish on theremainder of the surfaces of the fingernail extension 10. The texturedsurface thus provides a stronger and more durable connection with theartificial fingernail extension.

After the offset ledge 30 is adhered to the person's fingernail 30 andthe adhesive is set or hardened, the manicurist will sand down theoverlapping edge of the offset ledge 30 to more closely conform to theperson's fingernail 18. Alternatively, the manicurist may add a layer ofgel, adhesive or filler around the proximal end 14 and the outer edge ofthe outer ledge 30 and when hardened, file or sand that added materialto more smoothly blend to the fingernail 18. The manicurist may then addany sealant, clearcoat, or color coat desired on the outer surface 26 ofthe fingernail extension 10 or other portions of the nail extension.

As required, detailed embodiments of the present invention are disclosedherein; however, it is to be understood that the disclosed embodimentsare merely exemplary of the invention, which may be embodied in variousforms. Therefore, specific structural and functional details disclosedherein are not to be interpreted as limiting, but merely as a basis forthe claims and as a representative basis for teaching one skilled in theart to variously employ the present invention in virtually anyappropriately detailed structure.

The above description is given by way of example, and not limitation.Given the above disclosure, one skilled in the art could devisevariations that are within the scope and spirit of the invention,including various ways of texturing the offset ledge 30. Further, thevarious features of this invention can be used alone, or in varyingcombinations with each other and are not intended to be limited to thespecific combination described herein. Thus, the invention is not to belimited by the illustrated embodiments.

1. An artificial fingernail extension for use with a person'sfingernail, comprising: an artificial fingernail extension havingopposing top and bottom surfaces and extending along a longitudinalaxis, a distal end and a proximal end and two opposing sides extendingbetween the proximal and distal ends, the proximal end having an offsetledge formed in the bottom surface so as to face the fingernail duringuse and extending between the opposing sides, the offset ledge having athickness about 35% to 65% of an average thickness of the artificialfingernail extension immediately adjacent to the offset ledge, thesurface of the offset ledge being textured to have a surface roughnessgreater than a surface roughness of the bottom of the artificialfingernail extension, the surface roughness comprising a matt finish andbeing between 0.35-2.8 Ra.
 2. The artificial fingernail extension ofclaim 1, wherein the offset ledge has a uniform length measured parallelto the longitudinal axis.
 3. The artificial fingernail extension ofclaim 2, wherein the uniform length is between 3 and 6 mm.
 4. Theartificial fingernail extension of claim 1, wherein offset ledge has athickness of 40% to 60% the thickness of the artificial fingernailextension immediately adjacent the offset ledge.
 5. The artificialfingernail extension of claim 3, wherein offset ledge has a thickness of40% to 60% the thickness of the artificial fingernail extensionimmediately adjacent the offset ledge.
 6. The artificial fingernailextension of claim 1, wherein a bottom surface of the offset ledge has adifferent and rougher surface texture than the bottom surface of theartificial fingernail immediately adjacent the offset ledge. 7.(canceled)
 8. (canceled)
 9. The artificial fingernail extension of claim1, wherein the top and bottom surfaces are polished.
 10. The artificialfingernail extension of claim 5, wherein the top and bottom surfaces arepolished.
 11. The artificial fingernail extension of claim 8, whereinthe top and bottom surfaces are polished.
 12. The artificial fingernailextension of claim 1, wherein the offset ledge is of a crescent shapeand has a transparency that is about 15%-40% different from thetransparency of the immediately adjacent portion of the artificialfingernail extension so as to enhance the contrast between the offsetledge and the remainder of the artificial fingernail extension.
 13. Theartificial fingernail extension of claim 5, wherein the transparency ofthe offset ledge is about 15%-40% more transparent than the transparencyof the immediately adjacent portion of the artificial fingernailextension so as to enhance the contrast between the offset ledge and theremainder of the artificial fingernail extension.
 14. The artificialfingernail extension of claim 1, wherein the offset ledge is about 50%transparent and a portion of the artificial fingernail extensionimmediately adjacent the offset ledge is about 70% transparent.
 15. Anartificial fingernail extension for use with a person's fingernail,comprising: an artificial fingernail extension having opposing top andbottom surfaces and extending along a longitudinal axis, a distal endand a proximal end and two opposing sides extending between the proximaland distal ends, the proximal end having an offset ledge formed in thebottom surface so as to face the fingernail during use and extendingalong the entire proximal end, the offset ledge having a thickness about40% to 60% of an average thickness of the artificial fingernailextension immediately adjacent to the offset ledge, the surface of theoffset ledge being textured with a matt finish and having a roughersurface texture than the bottom surface of the artificial fingernailextension immediately adjacent the offset ledge, the artificialfingernail extension having a length along the longitudinal axis ofabout 3 mm-6 mm, the offset ledge having a transparency through the mattfinish that differs from the transparency of the immediately adjacentportion of the artificial fingernail extension by about 15% to 30% intransparency, so as to enhance the contrast between the offset ledge andthe remainder of the artificial fingernail extension.
 16. The artificialfingernail extension of 15, wherein the top and bottom surfaces arepolished, and the offset ledge has a transparency of about 50%.
 17. Amethod of applying an artificial fingernail extension to a person'sfingernail using the artificial fingernail extension of claim 1,comprising the steps of: applying a fingernail adhesive to the texturedoffset ledge; aligning the offset ledge with the distal end of theperson's fingernail; and placing the offset ledge on top of the person'sfingernail with an interior edge of the offset ledge at a distal end ofthe person's fingernail.
 18. The method of claim 17, wherein the offsetledge has a length along the longitudinal axis of about 2-6 mm.
 19. Themethod of claim 18, wherein the offset ledge has a thickness of about0.15 mm to 0.23 mm and the artificial fingernail extension immediatelyadjacent the offset ledge has a thickness of about 0.35 mm to 0.38 mm,and the offset ledge has a transparency about 15% to 30% different froma transparency of the immediately adjacent the offset ledge to enhancevisibility of the offset ledge.
 20. The method of claim 17, wherein theartificial fingernail extension has a transparency of about 70% and theoffset ledge has a transparency of about 50%, and offset ledge has athickness of about 0.15 mm to 0.23 mm and the artificial fingernail hasa thickness of about 0.35 mm to 0.38 mm immediately adjacent the offsetledge.
 21. The artificial fingernail extension of claim 1, wherein thefingernail extension has a convex curve between the proximal and distalends in the direction a finger bends, and the proximal end is curvedconvexly from side to side.
 22. The artificial fingernail extension ofclaim 1, wherein the proximal end and the offset ledge are curved towardthe distal end and in a direction that a finger curls, and are alsocurved convexly from side to side.
 23. The artificial fingernailextension of claim 8, wherein the fingernail has a convex curve betweenthe proximal and distal ends in the direction a finger bends, and theproximal end is curved convexly from side to side.
 24. The artificialfingernail extension of claim 8, wherein the proximal end and the offsetledge are curved toward the distal end and also curved convexly fromside to side.
 25. An artificial fingernail extension for use with aperson's fingernail, comprising: an artificial fingernail extensionhaving opposing top and bottom surfaces and extending along alongitudinal axis, a distal end and a proximal end and two opposingsides extending between the proximal and distal ends, the proximal endhaving an offset ledge formed in the bottom surface so as to face thefingernail during use and extending between the opposing sides, theoffset ledge having a first thickness and the fingernail extensionimmediately adjacent to the offset ledge having a second thicknessgreater than the first thickness, the first thickness being configuredto permit bending of the offset ledge to conform to the shape of thefingernail when pressed against the fingernail.
 26. The artificial nailextension of claim 25 wherein the first thickness provides the offsetledge with a greater transparency than that fingernail extensionimmediately adjacent to the offset ledge.
 27. The artificial nailextension of claim 25 wherein the bottom surface of the offset ledge istextured to have a surface roughness greater than a surface roughness ofthe bottom of the artificial fingernail immediately adjacent to theoffset ledge.
 28. The artificial nail extension of claim 25 wherein thebottom surface of the nail extension has a first region and secondregion, wherein the first region is textured greater than the secondregion, wherein the first region has a surface area of less than onethird of the second region.